The U.S. Department of Justice has announced the creation of a specialized “strike force” to investigate newly declassified intelligence records related to the origins of the Trump-Russia collusion narrative, following explosive disclosures made by Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard.
The decision comes after Gabbard released a cache of previously classified documents that she claims reveal how top Obama-era officials allegedly manipulated intelligence to support a narrative that Donald Trump colluded with Russian agents during the 2016 presidential election.
According to a DOJ spokesperson, the strike force—comprised of veteran investigators and federal prosecutors—has been tasked with reviewing all available evidence to determine whether laws were broken and if prosecutions are warranted. The department emphasized that the issue is being treated with “the utmost seriousness.”
“The Department of Justice is proud to work alongside Director Gabbard in pursuit of truth and accountability,” said Attorney General Pam Bondi. “We will investigate these troubling disclosures fully and leave no stone unturned to deliver justice.”
Insiders say the DOJ’s National Security Division will likely lead the probe, with possible coordination from multiple federal agencies.
The formation of the strike force follows a growing list of developments involving the Intelligence Community Assessment (ICA) released in 2017. That report concluded that Russia interfered in the election to benefit Trump, but a recent internal review raised red flags about the way the assessment was compiled—highlighting rushed timelines, procedural deviations, and questionable intelligence sourcing.
Earlier this month, CIA Director John Ratcliffe submitted a criminal referral to the FBI regarding former CIA Director John Brennan’s role in shaping the ICA. That move added further momentum to calls for a comprehensive review of the intelligence process that set off the years-long Trump-Russia investigation.
Gabbard, a former Democratic congresswoman and now the Director of National Intelligence, has insisted that her office will continue releasing unclassified records related to the matter and will fully cooperate with the DOJ’s probe.
“This is not about party lines—it’s about restoring faith in our institutions and holding those in power accountable when they misuse that power,” Gabbard said during a recent Fox News interview.
The strike force is also expected to look into whether false statements, abuse of authority, or other potential crimes were committed by those involved in drafting or promoting the initial Russia-collusion claims.
As the investigation unfolds, both critics and supporters of the effort agree: the implications could be historic.